Krshna

Every composer dedicates most of their compositions to their favourite deity or God. Lord Krshna has evidently been the favourite deity of this brilliant vaaggeyakara, who is said to have gotten inspired by Lord Krshna's benevolent glance as mentioned in his composition – guru padaaravinda komalam (Abhogi).

"I was singularly fortunate to obtain all this knowledge through the benevolent glance of my guru."

The intimacy and extreme devotion that he had for Lord Krshna can be easily observed by studying the huge variety of compositions that he has composed on him and the intricate details shared in his operas as well as one-off compositions on the Lord. Having spent most of his childhood in Mannargudi and a major part of his life in Oottukkadu, Venkata Kavi refers to the Kalinga nartana Krshna (dancing lord) in many of his compositions, almost like a secondary signature.

He has composed an entire opera based on the story of the Bhaagavatam starting with the Devaki-Vasudeva wedding and ending with the Krshna-Rukmani wedding. Many of the songs such as Aadaadu ashangaadu, Ashaindaadum mayil onru, Taaye yashoda belong to this opera.

Apart from the popular pieces on Lord Krshna such as Alaippaayude (Kanada), Paal vadiyum mukham (Nattaikkuranji), Svaagatamkrshna (Mohanam), Pullaai piravi tara vendum (Chenchurutti), there are many other rare and exquisite pieces on Lord Krshna such as Ennadaan inbamkandaayo (Devagandhari), Eppadittaan en ullam (Neelambari), Ippadiyum or pillai (Ragamalika) that have been composed with stupendous imagination.

Here is a list of compositions on Lord Krshna covering a gamut of ragas and talas.